Glenn's Birthday

A wayyy overdue post!

Before launching into what were planned for his birthday, make a guess where is this place?



No clue? Here's another picture, on its own to help.



If you are suspecting ... Underwater World Singapore (UWS) then yes you are right!

We brought him to UWS for a dive with the shark for part of his birthday gift / surprise!

Must share in details what were went on before that.

After deciding and confirming with my ex-co worker for this dive programme for Glenn, we had to figure out ways to let him know we are going into the island and that preparation extra clothes for him.

One of the good things being good friends is that you know either a. the friends around the birthday boy well enough to plan something together or b. you actually know the family.

I knew Daryl already and with ease of facebook (I cannot stress how much facebook has helped in planning surprises/parties!), he added me as a friend and we exchanged numbers for the collobaration of Glenns dive.

I advised the necessary stuff required like swimming trunks, towel and an extra set of clothes. Because Gek had the car, so she was tasked to pick up just the night before when Daryl was in and Glenn was out (phew!). After picking up the items, she called me immediately, wanting to share her encounter with Daryl.

Ha apparantely Daryl went the extra mile for his brother and us by preparing underwater camera and a dive watch! Haha I am still very amused thinking about it.

I can't recall how deep is the tank but no matter how deep, you don't need a dive watch! And its quite a pro dive watch for Daryl himself is a diver and could afford lill "trinkets". And he packed all of the items into those dive bag. Like Glenn is doing a day trip out to Palau Hantu for a real dive.
Either way, Gek and I were very appreciative and amused by Daryl. :)

Glenn - please once again say a BIGGG THANK U to your brother!

So then another tricky part surfaces. How can we tell Glenn that we are heading into the island without arousing his suspicious? He would know possibly we can't let go of his birthday just like that right?

You gotta give me credit for this man. I told him explicitly that we are doing something for his birthday this particular day and we are going for a brunch in Sentosa.

Thank god such brunch exist and just days before, to make it seem more real I showed him the menu and said we were too busy to do anything thus, we would do with a breakfast by the beach.

The classic scene 1 is because all of us, apart from Glenn, were running late behind time and I am damn hungry, I asked Glenn to packet breakfast for all of us. We are to go for a brunch leh! Still want to packet breakfast? We thought that was a give away like Glenn would know we are NOT going to the brunch.

Yet for the classic scene 1, he didn't suspect anything. Anything. He took it as that I am too hungry to wait. See, something good came out from my need to eat - dispersing his suspicious.

The classic scene 2 is when we parked at UWS (on the pretext that we have to walk to the beach there about for the restaurant) and Nick took Daryl's dive bag, Glenn could comment very casually, "hey I got a bag looking like that too."

Hahaha and Nick very conveniently brushed it away like no other matter.

Gek and I really had to resist laughing out loud. But I supposed Glenn knew something was up, he just didn't know what.
Earlier on, when we turned into the car park, I had to announce to the car park attendant that we were there for a dive and he actually asked, "whos going for a dive?"

Gek and I ignored his question and Nick just pointed to me, conveniently once again, that I am going for a dive. -__-

Only after we were at the counter, we then happily shared that for his 22nd birthday, we arranged a dive for him in UWS and the dive bag was really his and his brothers one.

I think it took Glenn completely by surprise and he was VERY VERY worried for quite some time.

Haha.

And off we went into the back of the house of UWS.
So much fond memories. Heh.

The birthday boy was given a wet suit to change into but I think in the midst of his anxiousness, he wore the suit the WRONG SIDE.



Zipper supposed to go to the back but he wore it the front way.
I really couldn't help it but laugh and laugh at him. And not like the dive master / guide didn't tell him! Gek recalled hearing the dive master / guide shared that zipper to go to the back.

So poor Glenn has to to back up and change the directions of his zippers.

And while he was changing...



There were the standard protocols he had to learn especially so Glenn was not an experienced diver. And I don't know whats with the kaypoh woman listening intently.





2 tanks. Glenn and the dive guide / master.



Finally, its time for Glenn to enter the water! We were then asked to go to the tunnel to wait for him.



How can we resist taking pictures with Glenn when hes all dressed up (minusing the mask) ?





After much much waiting, we could see the dive master / guide with another figure walking gently towards the middle of the tunnel.

There we see, our dearest friend (with his dive watch and his underwater camera) treading in the midst of the water with all the coral fishes swimming around him.





A couple of reef sharks were in there too but paid no attention to him. It were the eagle rays that swam close by and prodded Glenn. The guide walked with him a couple of steps ahead before having Glenn to "swim" across the arcylic tunnel.



Of course, photos were taken by us as we were in the tunnel and him, was taking pictures with his underwater camera in the water.

I had the opportunity once when I was with UWS for 2 years. For product knowledge, the company allowed their staff to participate in it.

Jane was my dive guide and I was very very lucky because I stayed in there for more than half an hour and Jane allowed me to do feeding to the eagle rays. Generally, inexperienced dive participants are not allowed for feeding.

When I saw Glenn in there, I knew he must have enjoyed himself tremendously. Taking in the sights and the (lack of human) sounds in the water, the experience of being in the water with creatures u see only in TV or in an aquarim.

I knew he would love it as much as I did.

And I was right! When he came out, he was sooo hyped up. Going on and on about his experience, what he saw, what he felt and how he wanna do it again. :)



After Glenn showered and all, Nick, Gek and I "toured" around the aquarim.



Influx of Nick and I pictures. Heh.









Love this picture! Who's camera is it ah? Can send me high resolution? I wanna develop it please!



I know Glenn isnt ;)



Wished Sher was around! Although she did contribute to the programme cost as well but due to her flights, she was unable to join us.

Otherwise more complete mah. Then I wouldn't be all bullied by Glenn and Gek. :(

We spent quite some time in the aquarim for we were brave enough to feed the eagle rays and sting rays in the feeding pool.



Heehee.

After the whole fun in UWS, we moved onto our next destination. It wasn't meant to be a hush hush surprise but for some reasons, we were very secretive about it.

Glenn tried to outsmart us by commenting that we should let him know so he can guide accordingly.

But only in a matter of time, he knew where our final destination for him for his birthday is.



Grams met up with us along the way and we headed down to Singapore Chinese Swimming Club where one of the hononary guest is there with her irritable face.



Hahaha.

We ordered foooood and as a birthday gesture, the restaurant prepared a chinese cake.





So in the midst of the dinner, Glenn shared his experience with Sher and Grams and we just had plenty of fun. :)

No pictures here but I thought I would mention that there is this special concotion whereby a sap-sap drink was offered to us to clean our palates and how it would be nourishing for our skin.

We clean it out cleanly. :D

Although the below picture was not a flattering picture of Glenn, it depicts a genuine smile and happiness of Glenn. :)



I think he enjoyed his 22nd birthday very much. :)

To end this whole post, I would like to share a goodu picture.



Hahahahaha.